One for all in Leukemia Cup

By Nancy Noyes

Correspondent|

May 27, 2015 | 5:40 PM

A fleet of boats racing on the bay with their spinnakers up during last year's Leukemia Cup Regatta, as part of a fun filled weekend of events held to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. - Original Credit: (Courtesy of Corrine Mayers / HANDOUT)

Most sailboat racing pits teams against each other. In this weekend's Annapolis Leukemia Cup Regatta, however, the members of the Annapolis Harbor 20 Fleet 5 are pulling together.

The entire Annapolis fleet of 24 is entered in this year's Leukemia Cup Regatta. Fleet 5 has mustered strong participation in this event for several years, but has reached this notable point in support of one of their own. Harbor 20 sailor John Heintz of Annapolis was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in December and underwent chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant over the winter.

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The third of his brothers to be affected by leukemia, Heintz – who lost his mother to AML – focused on this year's regatta. He made it an important goal to participate, even if he might not be up to sailing. Heintz has been cleared by his doctor to compete and he expects to be on the water with his fellow Harbor 20 sailors on Saturday.

Heintz's boat is named Endurance, fitting for his family's tenacity and perseverance, patience and courage in the face of blood cancer.

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Heintz's other goal was to encourage at least 20 Harbor 20s to participate and to raise at least $20,000 toward a cure. As of Tuesday, all 24 of the Harbor 20s from Fleet 5 were entered, and the preliminary funds tally was well over $26,000 and climbing.

In achieving full participation from the fleet, Heintz credits the assistance of fellow H20 sailors Peter Trogdon, Garth Hichens and fleet captain Marino DiMarzo in calling out their fellow sailors, although the battle call was a familiar one.

Last year, propelled by an energetic push from Patrick Shannon and Rachel and Jim Mead, the Harbor 20 fleet also made a strong showing, with 14 boats entered and $7,500 raised in support of a cause they have made their own and in honor of friends and relatives affected by blood cancers.

"Not only is the Harbor 20 the most raced one-design boat on the planet," said Shannon, "but our fellow skippers and boat owners are working hard to help find a cure for blood cancers in our lifetime. When the participation trophies are gathering dust on the shelf, the lasting legacy of having made a difference in the lives of those who will be cured of blood cancer in the future will endure."

In addition to the Harbor 20s, which will have their own course, the Annapolis Leukemia Cup will have starts for PHRF racing classes, Multihulls, J/30s, J/35s, J/70s, J/105s, Alerion Express 28s, Cal 25s and a special Leukemia Cup Class for those who don't normally race. Overall entries this year are approaching 100, with a final push to surpass that goal. Racing registration closes at 8 p.m. Thursday.

Once again, the Annapolis J/80 fleet will make its own unique contribution: hosting lunch and a "fun race" on the water for young patients and survivors, and giving them all a wonderful afternoon to remember.

Also once again, Eastport Yacht Club and Annapolis yacht Club are dividing up the on-water race management duties, and each club will host a party associated with the regatta.

Tickets for Friday evening's "Seersucker & Linen" summer gala at AYC are available only with advance purchase. The party is nearly sold out, though a handful of tickets may still remain.

Saturday's post-race festivities, "Rock the Dock for a Cure," is set for the EYC yard from 4 to 7 p.m. with live music from Swamp Donkey, a barbecue supper and drinks. The party is open to the public, and tickets may be purchased at the gate.